Meat cutting machine



June 21, 1955 'r. GuLBRANDsEN MEAT CUTTING MACHINE 6 Shee-tS-Sheet lFiled July 2l, 1950 INVENTOR. nii/grs QuLafA/wssv Arrow/VEP June 2l,1955 T. GULBRANDSEN 2,711,270

MEAT CUTTING MACHINE A CLM: Y

Mgg Uf M HTTOR/VEV y June 21, 1955 I T. GULBRANDsl-:N 2,711,270

MEAT CUTTING MACHINE Filed July 21, 195o e shets-sheet s 54 e? 75 3o 7 8a 14? o 134 136 1 6 '.76 08 116 'A 140 1 164 l 121 lj? 6a a 747 ga j 3.9141 INVENTOR. BY 77?:/61/5 QL/,LBRA/WSEN E .8

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ATTORNEY MEAT CUTTING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed July 2l, 1950 l .wfMM mi mfw y P. fwfa da HTTOP/VEP' June 21, 1955 T. GULBRANDSEN 2,711,270

MEAT CUTTING MACHINE Filed July 2l, 1950 Sheets-Sheet 5 LHMQQMM.

ATTORNEY June 2l, 1955 T, GULBRANDSEN 2,711,270

MEAT CUTTING MACHINE Filed July 2l, 1950 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 IN V EN TOR.

E l Q62' TAS/6W5 Gren/Vasa 5f BYKJMQLMM.

A Trai/VFY United States Patent "O This inventionrelates to a meatcutting machine. The invention has for an object to provide -a vnoveland improved meat cutting'machine for use inlpreparing meat for themanufacture of 'frankfurters, sausages, and for similar purposes adaptedto cut and discharge `themeat in a rapid, superior,and sanitary manner.

-Withthis general object in View, and such others as may .hereinafterappear, the invention consists in the vmeattcutting machine and in thevarious structures, arrangements, and .combinationsof parts hereinafterdescribed and vparticularly defined in the claimsat theend of .thisspecification.

11n thedrawings illustrating the vpreferred embodiment `of theinvention, Fig. lis a Vplan view of the present meat cutting machine;Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view takenonthe line .2-.2 of fFig. l; Fig.2a is a cross-sectionaltdetail view of a sealing bar for cooper-ation-with the upper surfacevof therotating bowl adjacent the cutttingatom-Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail .view infront elevationtof -the knifeadjusting mechanism; Fig. 4 is-an end view detail offthe same; Fig. `5is across-sectional view'taken on the.line.5-'5 of Fig. 3; Fig.6 isacrosssectional'view taken on the line '6 6 of Fig. l showing the lknit'emounting and clamping mechanism; yFigs. 7,

`8, and 9 are cross-sectionaldetail views'taken on the lines 7-7, 8 8,and 9-9 `respectively of fFig. `6; Fig. 10-is a side .elevation of theunloading disk and the pneumatically operated lowering and elevatingmechanism there- `for,.the pneumatically operatedmechanism being shownin cross section; Fig. ll isa cross-sectional View taken on the linellt-1l of Fig. l0; `and'Figs vl2.and l-3.are

side elevation and plan views respectively of electrical controlmechanismfor Yautomatically starting and stopping rotationoftheunloading disk; and Figs, l4rand l5 illustrateta modified fform ofcontrol mechanism tobe described.

In general, therpresent-invention contemplates a meat cutting machinefor preparing meat for usein the pro duction ofrfrankfurters, sausages,and the'like, andin general comprises a rotating bowl having an annularmeat trough semicircular in cross section, a pluralityof knivesmountedforoperation in the bowl for cutting the meat as it is `advanced by therotating bowl, and unloading means for discharging the prepared meatfrom the bowl. The handling of meat in such machines is subject to rigidinspection by the Bureau of Animal vIndustry, requiringextremelsanitation in the handling of the meat and elimination ofstructure formingpockets or recesses in the cutting area in which themeatmight become lodged and renderedrelatively inaccessible during thecleaning operation.

One feature of the present invention includes novel means for mountingand adjusting the .cutting knives or blades relative to the rotatingbowl, the individual knife units being clamped together `side by side,and theadjusting mechanism of one unit being entirely covered andprotected by a contiguous unit whereby-to present a relativelysmoothouter surface free of recesses and which y2 may be easily cleaned.`Novel clamping-*means for-the cutting knives is also provided disposedbeyond and accessible from outside of the cutting area and which isconducive to sanitary operation. Y'Provision is also-made forsealing-the upper `surface'of the rotating bowl adjacent the cuttingarea in a novel manner arranged to automatically take -up any wearand toassure a tight seal, and novel crank operated means disposed outsidelthebowl area is provided for raising and loweringthe usual hood -iittedover the V.knife unit during the cuttingoperation Provision is also madefor driving and guiding the rotating bowl concentrically-with relationto its supporting frame in a novel manner whereby to elim- Yinatelateral displacement of the bowl and togpositively -maintain the bowl inoperative -relation to fthe'cutting knives.

Another feature of the present invention relates to a novel unloadingdisk adapted to belowered into the annular trough to effect 'dischargeof the prepared meat over the side of the bowl, the meat being guided bya chute into a suitable receptacle. The unloading disk'is locatednon-radially with respect to the bowl and at a slight rearwardlyinclined anglefrom the vertical vto effect a rapid discharge of themeat, and provision ismade for mounting the disk forboth vertical andangular adjustment to iit the circular'disk into the offset or nou--radial portion of -the arcuate trough with which it cooperates for moste'iiicient'operation. Novel yprovision is also made for pneumaticallylowering the unloading 4disk into the bowl to effect the discharge oftheprepared meat, and for again `elevating the disk out of the bowl-descent into the trough and for automatically discontinuing rotationthereof when the disk is elevated out of the trough.

Referring now to the drawings and particularly to Fig. l, thepresentmeat cutting machine comprises in general meat conveying means includinga rotary bowl -10 having an annular trough -12 substantiallysemi-circular in cross section and into which the meat to be cut isdeposited; meat cutting means, indicated generally at :14, andcomprising a plurality of knives 16-mountedfto rotate in and cooperatewith the annular trough to cut the meat as it'is advanced; and meatunloading means, indicated generally at v18 and including a flatVcircular disk 20 arranged to be lowered into the annular trough vtoeffect discharge of the prepared meat from the trough and over the sideofthe bowl.

As illustrated in Fig.` 1, the bowl 10 is arranged to be rotatablyksupported in a cylindrical frame member 22 supported from the iloor bylegs 24, and as better shown in Fig. 2, the'bowl 10 is provided Awith anannular memher 26 `having a yhat bearing surfaceZS arranged toslidin'glyengage a flat bearing surface 30 comprising the bot- -tomwall'of an annular grooved track 32 formed in `an inwardly'extendedflanged portoin 34 of the cylindrical frame 22. The annularbearing member 26 may "be secured to `the undersurface of the'bowl byscrews '36, and the `annular bearing surface or circular track '32 mayVbe provided with `a Vrecessed portion into which may'be placed a ringof, lubricating felt '38 or the like.

The annular'bowl `l() maybe rotated from a drive' as shown in crosssection in Fig. 2, and in order to adjustably maintain the bowlconcentric with its supporting frame 22, a plurality of rollers Silcarried by the annular pulley member 46 are arranged to engage andcooperate with a cylindrical surface 52 formed in the inwardly extendedflange portion 34 of the frame. rfhe rollers Sti may and preferably willbe mounted on eccentric studs 54 to permit adjustment of the rollerswith relation to the cylindrical surface 52 whereby to assure aconcentric relationship between the bowl and the support and to maintainthe bowl in operative relation to the cutting knives 16. As illustratedin Fig, 2, the upper edge of the bowl may be provided with a dependinglip portion 56 overhanging the upper edge of the cylindrical supportingframe 22, and the latter may be recessed as indicated at S3 to provide aclearance for the depending lip 56 and to permit the outside diameter ofthe bowl to be substantially flush with the outside diameter of thecylindrical frame. The shaft 40 may be driven in any usual or preferredmanner, not shown, and the belt 44 may and preferably will comprise asteel cable coated with a nylon material to provide a flexible smoothcoated belt which is less subject to ascumulation of foreign matter thanconventional belting and, therefore, conducive to sanitary operation.Provision may also be made for cleaning the belt by running it between apair of felt wipers suitably supported and covered so as to continuouslywipe the belt during the operation of the machine, as indicated at 59.

Referring now to Figs. 1, 2, and 6, the cutting knives 16 are mounted ona shaft 60 supported in detachably connected bearing portions of bearingbrackets 62, 64 and in an outboard bracket 66 attached to thecylindrical frame member 22, the shaft being driven through any usual orpreferred driving means connected by a belt 68 to a pulley 70 secured tothe shaft 60. The knives 16 which may comprise curved blades, as shown,are adjustably mounted on the shaft 60, the portion of the shaft onwhich the knives are mounted being preferably decagonal in shape, asindicated at 72, and the inner ends of the knives are provided with'slotted portions '74 arranged to fit over opposing parallel sides of thedecagon to securely position the knives angularly on the shaft,successive blades being positioned at progressive angles about thedecagon. The individual knife blades are adjustably supported by andbetween spacing collars 76 also fitted over the decagonal portion of theshaft, and the individual knife units are mounted side by side inclamped relation on the shaft by clamping means indicated generally at78. The endmost cutter unit on the right hand side viewing Fig. 6 isarranged to engage aV flanged portion Sil of the shaft 66, and theendmost unit on the left hand side is arranged to engage a separatecollar 82 maintained in clamping engagement with the set of knives bythe clamping means 73.

As illustrated in Figs. 3, 4, and 5, the novel knife ad- ,iustmentmechanism includes a filler piece 84 fitted into and closing the openend of the slotted portion 74, the fillerpiece corresponding inthickness to the knife 16, and the outer end of the iiller piece beingdefined by a radius coextensive with the radius of the end of the blade.The filler piece S4 is provided with laterally extended ears S6 arrangedto iit into slots SB formed in the knife 16 so that the knife will movewith the filler piece as a unit during the adjusting operation. Asherein shown, the filler piece 34 is riveted to an adjusting member 9i)movable in a radial slot 92 formed in one side or face of each spacingcollar 76. The member 90is arranged to cooperate with an adjusting screw94 rotatably mounted in a rim portion 96 of the spacing collar, the rimportion defining the outer end of the radial slot. The adjusting screw94 is held from longitudinal movement by a pair of opposed pins 98carried by the rim portion and cooperating with a grooved portion 100 ofthe screw, and the inner end of the screw is arranged to engage theinner end of the radial slot 92, as shown. The screw 94 is provided witha relatively small square head 162 extending from the periphery of thespacing collar 76. Y

With this construction, it will be observed that rota tion of theadjusting screw 94 will eect radial adjustment of the knife relative tothe shaft 60, each knife being individually adjustable, the decagonalshaft portion 72 cooperating with the slot 74 preventing angulardisplacement of the knife, and the ears 86 on the filler n Y l piececooperating with the slots 88 to prevent radial Ydisplacement of theknife. It will be further observed that the open areas on one side of aspacing collar 76 are closed by the adjacent face of a contiguousspacing collar held thereagainst in clamped relation so that any ex- K 4posed recesses where meat may collect are avoided. The 9 open side ofthe outermost right hand knife unit as viewed in Fig. 6 is closed by theflanged portion 80 of the shaft Y 60, as described.

Referring now particularly to Fig. 6, the novel clamping means 7S forthe set of knife units 14 is disposed beyond and to one side of thecutting area, the cuttingv area being defined generally by a pivotallymounted arcuate hood 14 fitted over the cutting unit and pro-` videdwith side members 106, 163 Vshaped to fit snugly over and in abuttingrelation with portions of the adjacent bearing brackets 62, 64respectively and to abut with filler pieces 110, 112 attached to thebrackets asillustrated in Figs. 7 and 8. The clamping mechanism 78vincludes a flanged and internally threaded collar 114 adjustably mountedon a threaded portion 115 of the shaft 63 and rotatable with the shaft,and a plurality of clamping screws 116 carried by the collar 114 andengageable with a flanged face 118 of an elongated sleeve 120 slidinglyfitted over and rotatable with the shaft 6G.' The sleeve 120 carries aroller bearing 121 which may be slidingly mounted in the bracket 62, andthe inner end of the sleeve 120 may be provided with a reduced diameterportion fitted into a bored opening formed in a clamping member 122 alsoslidably mounted on the shaft 60 and connected to rotate with the sleeveby studs 124 carried by the clamping member 122. .The studs 124 are jthreadedly engaged in the clamping member and are provided with reduceddiameter ends extended into small clearance openings in the sleeve 120.The engaging end of the clamping member 122 is preferably formed dishshaped for cooperation with a correspondingly shapedV convex face formedon the end of the clamping collar 82. A plurality of springs 126 carriedin recessed portions of a flanged end disk 1728 attached to the bracket62 are arranged to engage an intermediate annular member 130 which inturn bears against the outer or sta-k tionary race of the roller bearing121. struction it will be observed that when the clamping screws 116 areloosened the springs 126 tend to urge theV roller bearing 121 and theelongated sleeve 120 outwardly along the shaft 60 to the extent towhichy the screws have been loosened, and the engaging memberV 122 isfree to iloat between the clamping collar`82 and the reduced diameterend of the sleeve 12) to the extent of the clearance openings for thereduced diameter ends of the pins or screws 124. The clamping member 122may and preferably will be relatively loosely fitted over the shaft 60and within the flanged end cap member 128Y so as to permit of a slightlateral movement of the mem- Y Thus, in the ber 122 relative to theclamping collar S2. operation of the apparatus, when the screws 116 ofthe clamping unit 78 are loosened, the knife units may be individuallyadjusted radially of the saft 6i) for proper i cooperation with thebottom of the trough 12 for cutting I,

the meat. Thereafter when the clamping screws 116 areV again tightenedtheV dish-shaped end of the oatingly mounted engaging member 122 is freeto align itself with the correspondingly shaped face of the clampingcollar 82 during the initial tightening operation to assure a` With thisconf5 uniform bearing and clamping engagement whereupon. the screws .116may be fully tightened to clamp the knife units in contiguous engagementas described.

In order to prevent foreign matter from entering the bearing unit 78 andto prevent-lubrication from escaping therefrom, the end cap member12S'of the bearing 62 is provided with a sealing member 134 inencircling engagement with the engaging clamp member 122, and a secondcap member 136 attached to the opposite end of the bearing bracket 62may likewise be provided with a sealing member 134 encircling the sleevemember 120. A cylindrical hollow bracket 138 secured to andextending'from the outer cap member y136 may be provided with a hingedcover 140 pivotally mounted at 142 in the bracket 138 to entirelyenclose the outer end of the bearing and clamping unit. The outer end ofthe shaft 60 may be provided with a hexagonal head 147. The bearingunit4 64 may also be provided with a ball bearing 123 and with anged endcap members 135, 137 provided with suitable sealing members 139, 141respectively encircling the shaft 60, as'illustrated.

As illustrated in Figs. l and 2, a horizontally extended comb 144 isarranged to cooperate with the rotating cutter blades 16 of the cuttingunit, the blades Apassing through and cooperating with the slottedportions 146 of the comb. In operation, the cutter blades are rotated ina counterclockwise direction transversely of the annular trough 12, asviewed in Fig. 2, so that the comb 144 serves to confine the meat in thecutting area and to cooperate with the blades to cut the meat. Asindicated in Fig. 2, the comb is slidingly mounted in the cutting areabetween guides formed in the brackets 62,64 and is arranged to bewithdrawn from the chopping area for cleaning purposes. As herein shown,in order to lock the comb in proper relationship to the cutter blades16, the outer end of the comb 144 is provided with a verticallyremovable pin 148 loosely mounted therein and arranged to be extendedinto an opening or locating socket formed in a stationary member 156supportedfrom the cylindrical frame member 22 by a bracket 152.

The arcuate hood 104 may be pivotally mounted to permit raising andlowering of the hood for cleaning and adjusting purposes, and as'hereinshown, the hood is supported between the brackets 62, 64, upon studs154, 156, journaled in the brackets 62, 64 respectively, and provisionis made for facilitating manual raising and lowering of the hood throughconnections from a crank 158. As illustrated in Figs. l and 2, the crank158 is mounted fast on a shaft 160 journaled in the bracket 62, theshaft 166 being also provided with a worm gear 162 fast thereon arrangedto mesh with a worm gear 164 which is fast on an extension of the pivotstud 154. Thus, in the operation of the machine, the relatively heavyarcuate hood 1114 fast on the end of the pivot stud 154 may be easilyand quickly raised and lowered'into and out of operative rela- I' tionwith the cutting unit 16. As above described, the portions of the hoodadjacent the bearing units 62, 64 are fitted snugly over the inner endsof thebearings, and the adjacent lower edges of the hood may be flangedand extended to cooperate with portions of the brackets 62, 64 toprevent escape of meat therethrough. The rear edge of the arcuate hood104 may engage a iiller piece 145 secured to the upper surface of thecomb 144, as indicated in Fig. 2, to provide a tight seal. f

Provision is made for sealing the engaging portion of the comb 144 withthe bowl in a manner-such as to automatically take up any wear along theouterand upper edge of the rotating bowl 16, and as herein shown, anarcuate sealing bar 166 may be iitted into a recessed portion 168 formedin the underside of the comb 144, the sealing bar being spring-pressedinto engagement with the upper edge of the bowl by a coil spring 170interposed between recessed portions of the comb and the sealing barrespectively. The spring 170 is coiled about a vertical guide pin 172iixed in the sealing bar 166 and slidingly inclined angle from theperpendicular.

.mounted in .thecomb 172,21 plurality of .such'springs 170 4beingdisposed along the sealing bar, as indicated in Fig. 1.

Provision is also made for covering the areas immediately vadjacenteither side of thecuttingunit, and as herein shown, top-plates or-covers174, 176 may be `suitably supportedfrom the underside of the brackets62, 64 respectively. As illustrated in Figs. l, 8, and 9 the forwardtransverse edge of the cover member 176 may be flanged upwardly at anangleof about 45 degrees, as indicated yat 178, 179, soas to guide andconfine the meat being form a tight seal with the upper and outer edgeof the rotary-bowl 10 adjacentthe cutting area, the sealing bars beingalso adapted to automatically take up any wear along'said upper'edge. Asillustrated in Figs. l and 6, the cutting unit shaft 66 maybe providedwith a stationary cylindrical sleeve 184 disposed between the bearingunits 64,.66,and theiforward edge 17S of the cover member 176 may beremovably supported by straps 186 mounted onthe stationary sleeve 184.

From the description thus far it will be seen that in theoperation ofthe machine the meat deposited in the trough 1.2 of the'rotarylbowl 10will be carried into engagement withthe cutting knives 16 to effectcutting and mixing of the meat. ln practice the bowl is arranged to berotated at a rateof about 5 0r6 R. P. M. in a counterclockwisedirection, as viewed in Fig. l, while the cutting .knifeunit 14 isarranged to be rotated at a rate of about 1200 to 1300 R. P. M.V Theusual Scrapers, not shown, may Vextend into the trough 12 forreleasingfany meat adhering to the walls of the bowl and for directingVthe meat toward the Vcenter of the trough. After a predetermined time,sucient to eifect complete cutting of `the meatprovision ismade forunioading the meat over the. side of the bowl and into a suitablecontainer adjacent the etc. As iilustrated in Figs. l and 10, theunloading means comprises the hat circular disk 20 which is arrangednon-radially with the respect to the radiusof the bowl and is furtherarranged at a slight rearwardly The unloading disk 20 is mounted foradjustment vertically and laterally relative to the trough to tit snuglyinto the arcuate and nonradial portion of the concave bowl 12, and asherein showlrthe disk 2G is mounted fast on one end of .a shaft 260forming partof a motor-driven assembly unit, indicated generaliy at 202,which'is mounted for vertical angular adjustment in a bracket 204, whichin turn is adjustabiy secured to a bracket 206 fast on the upper end ofa pneumaticaily operated raising and lowering unit .vindicated generally'at 208. As illustrated in Figs. l0 and ll the motor-driven unit 202includes a bracket 210 adjustably supported between the arms 212 and 214of the bracket 204, the shaft 260 being supported in the bracket 21) andconnected by a coupling 216 to a gearreduction unit `216 and an electricmotor 220 supported `by and forming a part of the unit 202. The unit 202is adjustably secured to the bracket 264 by bolts 222 which extendthrough openings in elongated arcuate washers 224 and through slottedarcuate openings 226 formed in the arms 212, 214 of the bracket 204, thebolts cooperating with threaded openings formed in the bracket 210, thuspermitting angular adjustment of the rotary disk 20 with relation to theperpendicular. A suitable scraper arm 22S may be arranged to cooperatewith the front or meat-contacting face of. the rotary disk20, thescraper being supported from a U-shaped bracket 230 extended around therear face of the disk and secured to a hub portion 232 attached to thebracket 21u. The relatively thin, flat unloading disk 2t) mayandpreferably will be supported on one side by a reinforcing disk 234having a hub portion 23S mounted on the shaft 20d. The front ormeat-engaging face of the disk may be provided with a 'langed hub member236 through which a reduced diameter threaded portion of the shaft 261Bextends for cooperation with a clamping nut 23S for securing the diskunit to the shaft. A removable hood or cap member 2353 may be placedover the hanged hub 236 and clamping nut 238 to prevent accumulation ofmeat thereon,

The bracket 2%6 extending from the upper end of the pneumaticallyoperated elevating unit 2tlg may and preferably will be provided with anangular face 207 at its inner end extended at an angle substantiallyparallel Vto the inclined plane of the shaft 260, the bracket 20d beingadjustably secured to the angular face 2il7 of the bracket 226 by bolts24) arranged to extend through openings in elongated washers 242,through arcuate slotted portions 244' provided in the bracket 206, andinto threaded openings in the bracket 294. rhus provision is also madefor adjusting the unit 262 laterally with respect to the concave portionof the bowl 12. In practice, the nonradially disposed unloading disk 2Gis preferably arranged along a line a distance forwardly from andsubstantially parallel to a radial line from the center of the bowl llland may be angularly disposed vertically so that the upper edge of thedisk is inclined rearwardly at an angle of about 10 degrees from theperpendicular, vertical and lateral angular adjusament bcing obtained asdescribed to fit the circular disk into the nonradial concave portion ofthe trough for most eilicient operation.

In the operation of the machine the unloading disk n rotating at a rateof about 100 R. P. M. in a counterclockwise direction, viewing Fig. 1,effects lifting of the meat upwardly out of the bowl and into anoutwardly and downwardly sloping chute 24S attached to the frame 22 andcooperating with the rotary bowl it). During the unloading operation themeat being carried into engagement with the rotary disk 2G is caused tobe raised with the ascending side of the disk, and the scraper arm 22'5effects scraping of the meat from the disk, the cooperating action ofthe disk Vand scraper directing the llow of the meat over the outer rimof the trough adjacent the disk and onto the downwardly sloping chute243.

uring the cutting operation the unloading disk2d is normally disposed inan elevated position out of the path of the meat being cut, and afterthe meat has been thoroughly cut the unloading unit is lowered intooperative relation to the bowl to eilect discharge of the meattherefrom, as described. Provision is made for pneumatically raising andlowering the disk into and out of the bowl, and as illustrated in Fig.l0, the pneumatically operated elevating mechanism 29% includes anelongated sleeve 25% having a piston member 252 secured to the lower endthereof. The sleeve 250 is slidingly mounted in a stationary' Ysleeve254 which in turn is supported in an outer supporting bracket 256 havingan extended portion 258 attached to the supporting frame 22. rhe upperend of the outer bracket 256 is provided with an upper cap member 259through which the sleeve 250 extends, and the loi-.ver end of the outerbracket 256 is provided with an end cap member 262 the space Within theouter bracket between the lower end cap member 262 and the lower edge ofthe inner supporting sleeve 254 defining a cylinder chamber 2.5i havingan upper port 255 and a lower port 257 in communication with thepneumatic control mechanism indicated generally at 252. The pistonincludes a suitable piston ring or washer 264 preferably of a yieldablematerial mounted in a recessed portion of the piston member 252, andprovision is made for supporting the ring in operative relation to thepiston member and for effecting lateral expansion thereof intoengagement with the walls of the cylinder chamber through connectionsfrom the upper end of the sleeve 25%. As herein shown, the expandingmechanism may include a bottom plate 266 engaging the underside of theannular member 264. The plate 266 is connected to a cylindrical member268 loosely extended through and keyed to the piston member 252 topermit vertical sliding movement of the member 26S in the member 252Vand Apreventing rotation of the parts relative to each other.

The member 26S is provided with a threaded opening at its upper end forcooperation with a threaded member 269 fast on the lower end of anelongated sleeve or hollow pipe 276, the upper end of the pipe 270 beingprovided with a member 272 fast thereon and extended through a bushingfitted into and secured tol a shouldered upper surface of the bushing274, and a square head 279 on the upper end of the member 272 isaccessible through the top of the sleeve 256 for cooperation with awrench to effect tightening of the unit` In operation,

rotation of the elongated pipe 270 and the vthreaded member 269 fastthereon and cooperating with the threaded opening in the member 268effects clamping rof the plate 266 against the undersurface of the ring264 Y to expand the same laterally against the cylinder walls. Y

A threaded sleeve 278 having Spanner wrench openings is threadedlyengaged with the upper end of the sleeve 276 and is arranged to bearagainst the upper surface of the bushing 274, and a removable cap 251 isfitted over the top of the sleeve 250 and secured to the member 27d bybolts 253 to enclose the upper end of the sleeve tended ears 230, eachcarrying a vertical rod 282, square in cross section, and slidinglymounted in vertically groovedportions 24 of the outer bracket 256 inorder to prevent rotary movement or binding of the pneumatic unit duringthe elevating operation.

As illustrated in Fig. l0, the raising and lowering ofV the pistonsleeve 25d and the unloading disk unit attgched thereto may becontrolled by a three-way valve 285 forming a part of the controlmechanism 259. AsV herein shown, the control valve 235 is connected to aY k source of compressed air through a pipe 2% and is connected to theupper port 255 of the cylinder chamber 261 by a pipe 292, the pipe 292having a commercial speed control valve 293 incorporated therein. Thelower port 257 of the chamber 261 is connected tothe control valve 235by a pipe 294,' safety valve unit 295, and pipe 296, Y

the pipe 294 also havifnT a commercial speed control valve 293 connectedther with; The safety control valve 295 includes a casing 29S having aspring-pressed valve Q member 396 cooperating with a valve seat 392. VAn upper chamber tM formed in the casing 298 is in direct -Ycommunication with the main source of air 2% through the pipe 326 and isarranged to maintain the valve mem' ber 300 open during normal operationof the machine` so that the compressed air may enter through pipe 294into the lower chamber 3%8 of the safety valve unit 295' and through theport 257 of the cylinder chamber 261.

ln the operation of the device when the valve handle 310 f Y is moved tothe right hand position, indicated by broken,V lines in Fig. l0, air ispermitted to enter the piston charn-A i ber through port 257 to effectelevation of the piston and the unloading disk. Thereafter, when it isdesired to lower the unit the valve handle 3l@ is moved to the left,

or full-line position, as shown in Fig. l0 to permit air Y. to enter thepiston chamber 261 through the port 255 to elfect lowering of the unit.The control valve 285 is provided with an exhaust outlet 3l?. to permitthe air i above the piston to be exhausted through the port 255 Y Thebracket 266 is provided with laterally 'ex-k .during the elevatingoperation and conversely to` permit the air below the piston to beexhausted through theport 257 .during the lowering operation of theunit. The intermediate or hold position of the valve handle 316, shownin dotted lines in `Fig. l is arranged to close all of the ports in thevalve 235 to permit the operator to stop elevation or descent of theunit in an intermediate position and to hold the unit in suchintermediate position by the air entrapped in the cylinder. The objectof the safety control valve unit 295 is to prevent sudden descent of theunit in the event of failure of the source of supply of compressed airin the main line 290. In the event of such failure when the unit is inits elevated position, the valve member 36) will be closed against itsseat 392 by the spring 314', thereby locking the entrapped air in thechamber 261 and maintaining the unit in its elevated position. The mainair line 299 may be provided with a controlled source of compressedairand may include the usual lter and lubricator, not-shown.

From the description thus far it will be seen that in the operation ofthe machine the ilat disk may be caused to descend vertically into theoncoming meat `in `the annular trough, the nonradial and rearwardlyinclined disposition of the disk eiecting Van angular cutting or slicinginto the meat as it is advanced whereby to prevent objectionablesmearing of the meat when coming into contact therewith and effectingrapid and eilicient unloading of the meat from thetrough.

yProvision may also be made in the preferred rembodiment of theinvention for automatically starting rotation of the unloadingdiskli)duringthe initial descending movement of the unloading unit so thatthedisk will be rotating at full speed when it vengages the meat, andfor discontinuing rotation of the ,disk 2lb when the unit is returned toits elevated position. As illustrated in Figs. l2 and 13, the startingand stopping of rotation of the disl' Eil may be controlled bya normallyclosed microswitch 32@ supported inan elongated-switch box 322 which issupported by brackets y32d-, 326 attached to the outer sleeve orcylinder bracket 256 of the pneumatically operated elevating mechanism208 as shown in Figs. 12 and 13. The micro-switch32t) forms partof acircuit for controlling the unloading disk motor 220, and as hereinshown the micro-switch is connected by wires 328 to-the main leadsentering the switch box through the. main wire cable 330. An elongatedhollow cable tube 332 is mounted for vertical reciprocation in a slidebearing 33d formed in the switch Vbox 322, the upper end of the tube 332being connected to and vertically movable with a bracket 336 secured-ttothe hub portion of the unloading disk supportingbracket 206 attachedtothe upper end of the piston sleeve 250 of the pneumatically operatedmechanism. Thelower end of the elongated cable tube is provided with aared or bell-shaped .cam portion 33S arranged to engagea switch arm 340`of the normally closed micro-switch to-open the circuit to the motor22u when the kunloading unit is in its elevated position. When thepneumatically operated unloading unitiis caused to descend, thecircuitto the motor 220 will be closed at the micro-switch 320 to startrotation of the unloading` disk 20.

As herein shown, the vertically yreciprocable .cable tube is connectedat its upper end by a flexible cable 342 leading tothe motor terminalbox, and the lower end of the tube-extending into the switchbox 322 isconnected by a liexible cable 344 leading to the main wirecable 336. lnorder to guide and control the slack end of the flexible cable 34a andto confine the `same within the enclosed switch box 322 during elevationand descent of the cable tube 332, the llexible cable 344 isarranged torun around a weighted pulley .346 mounted for vertical reciprocation ona slide bar 348 secured tothe switch box 322, as illustrated. Thus, inthe operation of the electric control mechanism it will be seen thatduring the initial descending movement of the unloading unit ythe.circuit to the motor 229 vwill be closedrat themicroswitch to startrotation ofthe disk 2li so thatvwhen it engages the meat in the troughthe disk will be rotating at'full speed, and when the unloadingoperation is cornpleted, raising. of the unloading unit to itsmaximum-position of elevation will open the circuit to stop rotation ofthe disk.

-In the operation of the present meat cutting machine, the meat to becut isdepositedin the trough 12 land carried into engagement with thecutting yunit 14.to .be thoroughly cut, the cutting operation vbeingcontinued untila proper consistencyand admixtureis obtained whereuponthe unloading disk unit 18 is pneumatically lowered into the trough toefiectrdischarge of the meat over the side of the bowl. The present meatcutting machine is provided with novel cutting mechanism havingprovision for individually adjusting and clamping the cutter blades, andwhich isof .aconstruction which may be easilycleanei andwhichisconducive to sanitary operation. .The machine is further provided withnovel sealing means along the upper edgeof the bowl adjacent the cuttingarea to prevent escape of the meat .or meat juices during .the cuttingoperation, the sealing means being arranged to automatically take up anywear along the top `of the bowl and assuring a continuous sealadjacentthe cuttingarea. Provision-is also made for ,guidingthe rotarybowl .concentrically with the supporting frame and formaintainingthebowltin operative relation -tothe meatcutting unit. vlt will be observedthat the present unloading disk unit disposed nonradially and ,at arearwardly inclined anglerfrom the vertical may be vadjusted .both.laterally and vertically .for cooperation with the nonradial andconcave portion of the trough for rapid and `eilicient unloading .of themeat, and that the .unloading unit ispreierably caused to move inaverti- .cal path into and out of the trough. It will be further.observed that the descent and elevation of the unloading .unit maybeeected pneumatically, and that provision is .made forelectrically.controlling starting and stopping of rotationof theunloading disk upon descent and eleV-ation respectivelyY ofthe unloadingunit.

Referring -nowto Figs. V14 and l5, a modified form -of .pneumaticallyoperated control mechanism is therein illustrated -for .preventing rapiddescent of the piston -sleeve 250 .and theunloading unit carried therebyin the .event of failure of the source of supply of the compressed airin the main line 290. As herein; shown, the modiiied safety deviceAcomprises a pneumatically controlled spring-,pressedlatchv35il.slidingly mounted in a housing 352 attached toa:.guide.bracket 353 on one side of the supporting sleeve 25,6,1-thelatch 35i) being arranged to cooperate -with rack teeth 354 formed in avvertically reciprocalguide rod 356 which is attached to and movablewith the bracket 2ll6. VTherlatch 350 is slidingly `supported in asleeve 358 mounted in the housing 352 and isprovided witha piston 360fast thereon which is slidingly mounted in a chamber 362 formed inthehousing, .thechamber 362 being connected by a pipe 364 to the mainline 290, as illustrated. During normal operation, the'piston 360 isurged to the left to retain the latch 350 out of engagement with therack teeth 354. However, in the.event that theair pressure in the mainline 2% is discontinued, the spring 366 will urge the llatch to theright to engage with the rack teeth 354 thus terminating descent of theunloading unit andholding the same in its terminated position. Uponresumption of the ,air pressure, the latch will again be moved to theleft to permitnormalraising and lowering of the unloadingunit. As hereinshown, the spring 366 is fitted .into a socket formed in the latch 350and is arranged to bear against an end plate 368 of the housing 352. Thelatch member is preferably cylindrical Vin cross section,

`and a` pin 37.0 carried by the sleeve 358 is arranged to be received ina slot.372.in the latch to prevent rotation of thetlatch.

A modified form of electrical control mechanism is also illustrated inFig. 14, herein shown as comprising a normally open micro-switch 374mounted on the opposed guide bracket 376 attached to the sleeve 256 andarranged to cooperate with a vertically reciprocal guide rod 378. A leafspring switch arm 385 attached to the inner surface of the grooved guidebracket 375 is arranged to be engaged by the adjacent face of the guiderod 378 to hold the micro-switch in its closed position to close thecircuit to the motor 220 during the unloading operation. As hereinshown, the lower end of the guide rod 37S is beveled inwardly, asindicated at 382, so that in operation, when the unloading unit is inits fully elevated position, the spring arm 3S@ is permitted to springaway from the micro-switch 374 to open the circuit to the motor and thusstop rotation of the unloading disk 29. Conversely, when the unloadingunit is caused to start its descent, the rod 378 effects closing of thecircuit to start rotation of the unloading disk. The wiring may be ledfrom the main line to the microswitch 374 through conduits 384, 386 andthe usual electrical boxes 38S, 399 supported from the bracket 376, andmay be led from the box 338 to the motor Z2@ through a exible cable 592,as shown.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been hereinillustrated and described it will be understood that the invention maybe embodied in other forms within the scope of the following claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed l. In a meatcutting machine of the character described, a rotary bowl having anannular material receiving trough substantially semi-circular in crosssection, and unloading means for discharging the material from the bowlcomprising a at rotatable circular disk mounted to be disposed laterallyof the trough in a position parallel to but offset from a radial linefrom the center of the bowl and at an angle inclined rearwardly from theperpendicular with respect to the direction of rotation of the bowl,said flat disk having a radius greater than the radius of these1nicircular trough at said radial line whereby the periphery of thecircular disk conforms substantially to the nonradial portion of thesemi-circular trough for cooperation therewith to eitect discharge ofthe material over the outer rim of the rotary bowl, and meansindependent of the rotary bowl for rotating said flat disk.

2. ln a meat cutting machine of the character described, a rotary bowlhaving an annular material receiving trough substantially semi-circularin cross section, unloading means for discharging the material from thebowl comprising a ilat rotatable circular disk mounted to be disposedlaterally of the trough in a position parallel to but offset from aradial line from the center ot the bowl and at an angle inclinedrearwardly from the perpendicular with respect to the direction ofrotation of the bowl, said dat disk having a radius greater than theradius of the semi-circular trough at said radial line whereby theperiphery of the circular disk conforms substantially to the non-radialportion of the semi-circular trough for cooperation therewith to electdischarge of the material over the outer rim of the rotary bowl, meansindependent of the rotary bowl for rotating said disk, and means forangularly adjusting said circular disk laterally and vertically relativeto said trough.

3. In a meat cutting machine of the character described, a rotary bowlhaving an annular material receiving trough substantially semi-circularin cross section; unloading means for discharging the material from thebowl comprising a flat rotatable circular disk mounted to be disposedlaterally oi the trough in a position parallel to but offset from aradial line from the center of the bowl and at an angle inclinedrearwardly from the perpendicular with respect to the direcmoving saidunloading means in a vertical path into and out of operative relation tothe trough, the disposition ofi' the dat disk eiecting a clean angularslicing into the advancing material during the vertical descent of thedisk.

4. In a meat cutting machine of the character de. scribed, a rotary bowlhaving an annular material receiving trough substantially semi-circularin cross section, unloading means for discharging the material from thebowl comprising a flat rotatable circular disk mounted to be disposedlaterally of the trough in Va position parallel to but olset from aradial line from the center of-the bowl and at an angle inclinedrearwardly from the perpendicular with respect to the direction oi'rotation of the bowl, said ilat disk having a radius greater than theradius of the semi-circular trough at said Y radial line whereby theperiphery of the circular disk conforms substantially to the non-radialportion of the semi-circular trough for cooperation'therewith to effectdischarge of the material over the outer rim of the rotary bowl, meansindependent of the rotary bowl for rotating said dat circular disk, andpneumatically operated means for moving said nonradially and rearwardlyinclined unloading disk in a vertical path into and out of operativerelation to said trough whereby to etect a clean angular slicing intothe advancing material during the vertical descent of the disk.

5. In a meat cutting machine of the character described, a rotary bowlhaving an annular material receiving trough substantially semi-circularin cross section, unloading means for dischargingV the material Y fromthe bowl comprising a flat rotatable circular disk mounted to bedisposed laterally of the trough in a position parallel to but offsetfrom a radial line from the center of the bowl and at an angle linclinedrearwardly from the perpendicular with respect to the direction Vofrotation of the bowl, said at disk having a radius greater than theradius of the semi-circular trough at said radial line whereby theVperiphery of the circular disk conforms substantially Vto thenon-radial portion of the semicircular trough for cooperation therewithto effect discharge of the material over the outer rim of the rotarybowl, means independent of the rotary bowl for rotating said flatcircular disk, and pneumatically operated means for moving saidunloading means vertically into and out of operative relation to thetrough, said pneumatically operated means including'a source ofcompressed air, and normally open valve means operatively, connectedbetween said pneumatically operated means and said source of compressedair constructed and arranged to be automatically closed to prevent rapiddescent of said unloading means in the event of failure of said sourceof compressed air.

6. In a meat cutting machine of the character described, a rotary bowlhaving an annular material trough, an unloading unit including a iiatrotary unloading disk mounted to cooperate with thetrough to effectdischarge of the materialfrom the bowl, and pneumatically operated meansfor moving said unloading unit vertically into and out of operativerelation to the trough, said pneumatically operated means including asource of compressed air, and normally open valve means operativelyconnected between said pneumatically operated means and the source ofcompressed air con-l structed and arranged to be automatically closed topre# vent rapid descent of said unloading unit in the event of failureof said source of compressed air.

7. In a meat cutting machine of the characterdescribed, a rotary bowlhaving an annular material trough, an unloading unit including a atrotary disk mounted to cooperate with the trough to effect discharge ofthe material from-the-bowl, and pneumatically operated meansincludinga-source of compressed air connected to eifect -verticalraising and lowering of the unloading unit, land control-means includinga safety valve connected to andarranged tobe normally maintained open bysaid-sourceofcompressed air to permit elevation of -said-unloading--unit,and means for automatically closing said-valve toprevent rapid descent of said unloading unit inthe-'event of failure ofsaid source of compressed air.

S. In a lmeatcuttingmachine-of the character described, a rotary bowlhaving an annular material trough, an unloading unit including a flatrotary disk mounted to cooperate with the trough to eiect discharge ofthe materialfrom the bowl, and pneumatically operated means'for movingsaid unloading unit vertically into and out of operative relation to thetrough, said pneumatically operated means including a piston, a cylinderchamber having upper and lower air ports, a source of compressed airconnected with said ports, control means including a manually operatedvalve for effecting raising and lowering of said piston in the chamber,and a safety valve between said control valve and said lower port, saidsafety valve being connected to and being normally maintained open bysaid source of compressed air, and means for automatically closing saidsafety valve to entrap the air in said chamber and thus prevent rapiddescent of said unloading unit in the event of failure of said source ofcompressed air.

9. In a meat cutting machine of the character described, a rotary bowlhaving an annular material receiving trough substantially semi-circularin cross section, unloading means for discharging the material from thebowl comprising a ilat rotatable circular disk mounted to be disposedlaterally of the trough in a position parallel to but oifset from aradial line from the center of the bowl and at an angle inclinedrearwardly from the perpendicular with respect to the direction ofrotation of the bowl, said flat disk having a radius greater than theradius of the semi-circular trough at said radial line whereby theperiphery of the circular disk conforms substantially to the nonradialportion of the semi-circular trough for cooperation therewith to effectdischarge of the material over the outer rim of the rotary bowl, drivemeans independent of said bowl for rotating said disk, means for movingthe unloading means vertically into and out of operative relation tosaid trough, and control means operatively connected to said drive meansand actuated by movement of said unloading means for starting rotationof the disk upon initial descending movement thereof and for stoppingrotation of the disk upon elevation thereof.

l0. In a meat cutting machine of the character described, a rotary bowlhaving an annular materialV receiving trough substantially semi-circularin cross section, unloading means for discharging the material from thebowl comprising a ilat rotatable circular disk mounted to be disposedlaterally of the trough in a position parallel to but offset from aradial line from the center of the bowl and at an angle inclinedrearwardly from the perpendicular with respect to the direction ofrotation of the bowl, said ilat disk having a radius greater than theradius of the semi-circular trough at said radial line whereby theperiphery of the circular disk conforms substantially to the nonradialportion of the semicircular trough for cooperation therewith to effectdischarge of the material over the outer rim of the rotary bowl, anelectrical circuit including a motor for rotating said disk, means formoving said disk in a vertical path into and out of operative relationto said trough, and control means including a normally closedmicro-switch in said motor circuit, and means carried by said unloadingscribed, a rotary bowl having an annular material receiving troughsubstantially semi-circular in cross:section, unloadingmeans fordischarging the material from the bowl comprising a ilat rotatablecircular disk mounted tobe disposed llaterally of they trough in-aposition parallel to but ofset from-a radial line-from the center lofthe bowl and at an angle inclined rearwardly fromrthe perpendicular withrespect to the direction of rotation of the bowl, said flat disk jhaving a radius ggreater than the radius of the semi-circular trough atsaid radialtline -Iwhereby the periphery-of ,the circular disk conformssubstantially to the nonradial portionof'the `semi-circular trough forcooperation therewith to elfect discharge of the material over the outerrim of the rotary bowl, and means for mounting said disk to permitadjustment thereof laterally with respect to said trough, said mountingmeans including a supporting bracket, a bearing bracket, and arcuateslot and bolt connections between said brackets for iixedly retainingthe disk in its adjusted position.

12. In a meat cutting machine of the character described, a rotary bowlhaving an annular material receiving trough substantially semi-circularin cross section, unloading means for discharging the material from thebowl comprising a flat rotatable circular disk mounted to be disposedlaterally of the trough in a position parallel to but offset from aradial line from the center Vof the bowl and at an angle inclinedrearwardly from the perpendicular with respect to the direction ofrotation of the bowl, vsaid llat disk having a radius greater than theradius of the semi-circular trough at said radial line whereby theperiphery of the circular disk conforms substantially to the nonradialportion of the semi-circular trough for cooperation therewith to e'ectdischarge of the material over the outer rim of the rotary bowl, andmeans for mounting said disk to permit adjustment `thereof to vary therearwardly inclined angularity of said disk, said mounting meansincluding a supporting bracket, a bearing bracket, and arcuate slot andbolt connections between said brackets for xedly retaining the disk inits adjusted position.

13. In a meat cutting machine of the character described, a rotary bowlhaving an annular material trough, an unloading unit including a flatrotary unloading disk mounted to cooperate with the trough to effectdischarge of the material from the bowl, and pneumatically operatedmeans for moving said unloading unit vertically into and out ofoperative relation to the trough, said pneumatically operated meansincluding a source of compressed air, and safety control meansoperatively connected with and normally maintained in an inoperativeposition by said source of compressed air, said control means beingarranged to automatically move into operative position to prevent rapiddescent of said unloading unit in the event of failure of said source ofcompressed air.

14. In a meat cutting machine of the character described, a rotary bowlhaving an annular material trough, an unloading unit including a flatrotary unloading disk mounted to cooperate with the trough to effectdischarge of the material from the bowl, and pneumatically operatedmeans for moving said unloading unit vertically into and out ofoperative relation to the trough, said pneumatically operated meansincluding a source of compressed air, and safety control means includinga latch engageable with said pneumatically operated means operativelyconnected with and normally maintained in an inoperative position bysaid source of compressed air, said latch being arranged to beautomaticaly released to 15 engage said pneumatically operated means toprevent rapid descent of said unloading unit in the event of failure ofsaid source of compressed air,

15. In a meat cutting machine of the character described, a rotary bowlhaving an annular material trough, an unloading unit including a atrotary unloading disk mounted to cooperate with the trough to effectdischarge of the material from the bowl, and pneumatically operatedmeans for moving said unloading unit vertically into and out ofoperative relation to the trough, an electrical circuit including amotor for rotating said disk, and control means including a micro-switchin said motor circuit, and means carried by and movable with saidunloading unit arranged to cooperate with said microswitch to permitopening of the circuit to stop rotation of the disk upon elevation ofthe unloading unit, and to etfect closing of the circuit upon initialdescending movement of said unloading unit.

yis

References Cited in the le of this patent UNTED STATES PATENTS DebancheMay 30, YCarlin Feb. 9, Carlin May 9, Schmidt Apr. 28, Van Hooydonk Ian.6, Ostlund lune 12, Schmidt Oct. 24, McCashen Apr. 7, Latham May 23,McMurray Aug. 8,V Zaenkert Apr. 17, Fox May 19,

FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain Sept. 9, Great Britain Feb. 25, FranceJune 3, Austria Feb. 26,

